How to discourage belief-based denial of abortion care

Christian Fiala & Joyce Arthur
03 Apr 2025

The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care
https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2025.2482828

Abstract
The exercise of so-called ‘conscientious objection’ in reproductive healthcare is unchecked and subject to widespread abuse. A growing body of evidence shows that the practice creates significant harms for patients needing abortions by delaying their care or depriving them of care, sometimes even costing their lives. We have coined the more accurate term ‘belief-based care denial’ as the phrase ‘conscientious objection’ was inappropriately co-opted from military conscientious objection, with which it has nothing in common. In this article, we note the evidence against belief-based care denial, refute fallacies in the views that support the practice, and recommend measures to reduce the number of care deniers over time, with the prospect of an eventual return to the ethical standard that obligates healthcare professionals to provide medical care.

Continued: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13625187.2025.2482828

03.04.2025

belief-based care denial

Christian Fiala

conscientious objection

Jonathan Montgomery

Joyce Arthur

United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls

Global

Human Rights

Law

Abortion access in Canada ahead of a federal election

rabble radio
Podcast: 30 minutes
January 24, 2025

In 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned in the United States, it sent shockwaves through Canada as we questioned how this decision might impact us. For many, it sparked a new sense of concern that similar actions could be taken here, prompting a closer examination of the work needed to strengthen and expand reproductive rights and access in Canada.

This week, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. While he promises to usher in a “golden age,” in the five days he’s been in power, he’s already made extremely harmful decisions concerning health care, gender identity, citizenship, the environment and much more.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/podcast/abortion-access-in-canada-ahead-of-a-federal-election/

24.01.2025

Interviews/Podcasts

abortion access barriers

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada

crisis pregnancy centres

Canada – Abortion numbers in the NWT remain publicly undisclosed

Conservative candidate says she's pro-choice, but rights group has labelled party as anti-choice based on voting history

Devon Tredinnick
Dec 5, 2024

The NWT Health and Social Services Authority will not release a breakdown of data on abortions performed through the Northern Operations for Women (NOW) Program, citing privacy concerns.

However, Joyce Arthur, the executive director for the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, maintained that withholding such information adds to the stigma surrounding abortion. "There's no reason not to be upfront about it and transparent as with any other healthcare procedure," she said, noting there could also be some concern over outing people who provide abortions, though there's much less harassment towards them then there used to be in the 1990s.

Continued: https://www.nnsl.com/home/abortion-numbers-in-the-nwt-remain-publicly-undisclosed-7672039

05.12.2024

News

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada

Cathay Wagantall

Joyce Arthur

Kimberly Fairman

Northern Operations for Women

NWT Health and Social Services Authority

Abortion Rights Issue Surfaces in Canada Before U.S. Election

The Canadian government proposed legislation this week to crack down on anti-abortion organizations that provide “dishonest counseling” to pregnant women.

By Vjosa Isai
Nov. 2, 2024

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the House of Commons this week regarding abortion rights, he also had a message for his daughter, who was seated in the gallery.

“I want her to hear me as long as everyone else does,” Mr. Trudeau said. “This government is unequivocally pro-choice. We will always defend a woman’s right to choose.”

Mr. Trudeau’s Liberal Party on Tuesday revisited a 2021 campaign promise to penalize anti-abortion organizations that it said provided “dishonest counseling” to pregnant women.

Unlocked: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/02/world/canada/abortion-rights-canada-election.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XE4.jBsD.xtVibwEEkzuf&smid=url-share

Canada – Liberals take ‘softer approach’ on pledge to revoke charity status for pregnancy counselling

Trudeau had promised to 'no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations' that offer 'dishonest counselling to women'

Stephanie Taylor, National Post
Nov 01, 2024

OTTAWA — Federal New Democrats are criticizing the Liberals’ plan to allow charities offering pregnancy counselling to keep their tax status if they advertise how their services exclude abortion — a move that differs from what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised during the last federal election.

In 2021, Trudeau ran on a platform that included a promise to “no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations” that provide “dishonest counselling to women” about their pregnancy options.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/liberals-take-softer-approach-pledge-revoking-charity-status-pregnancy-counselling

BC,Canada – Are Reproductive Rights on the Ballot This Election?

What the BC NDP and BC Conservatives are promising on abortion, free contraception and cervical cancer screening and treatment.

Michelle Gamage, The Tyee
Sep 26, 2024

Premier David Eby says women’s reproductive rights are on the ballot this election because he claims the Conservatives would cut $4.1 billion from the health-care budget, and that could impact free birth control, home cervical cancer screening tests and expanded gynecological cancer treatment and surgery.

Eby made the comment at a Vancouver campaign event on Sept. 12 where he announced hormone replacement therapy would be made free for people going through menopause.

Continued: https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/26/Are-Reproductive-Rights-Ballot-Election/

Belief-based care denial: Let’s change the terms of the debate

The term “conscientious objection” is dishonest when applied to healthcare.

by Joyce Arthur, Rabble.ca
August 13, 2024

In medicine, so-called “conscientious objection” occurs when a healthcare professional refuses to provide a legal medical service based on their personal or religious beliefs. This happens mostly for abortion and contraceptive care.

I propose a more accurate term: Belief-based care denial. This phrase makes it clear that treatment is being refused due to ideological reasons and not clinical considerations. Further, care denials are not conscientious because they cause harms to patients and create barriers to care. The new term also illuminates the contradiction of a doctor elevating their personal interests above their duty to provide healthcare, even though doctors are bound by regulations and ethical codes that prioritize patient interests.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/health/belief-based-care-denial-lets-change-the-terms-of-the-debate/

Canada – Right-wing extremism is connected to being anti-choice – but we can win on abortion rights

As we see the growing restriction of abortion in the US, it is important that we remain vigilant of a growing anti-choice movement on the right.

by Joyce Arthur, rabble.ca
February 8, 2024

Canada has done well without any abortion law or restrictions since 1988, leaving abortion care under the same medical regulations as other healthcare. Indeed, abortion care follows the same pattern around the world regardless of law – people who want abortions have them as early as possible, while a small number of later abortions will always be needed for compelling social or medical reasons. Laws trying to regulate abortion are redundant and restrictions are harmful.

Abroad, Canada has a reputation as a socially liberal western democracy that guarantees reproductive rights and minority rights such as for gender expansive people. The Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a self-declared feminist foreign policy and has often spoken out in favour of abortion rights.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/health/right-wing-extremism-is-connected-to-being-anti-choice-but-we-can-win-on-abortion-rights/

Canada has zero pro-choice Conservative MPs, watchdog says

Abortion rights group places remaining 15 Conservatives on list of anti-choice MPs after vote on ‘fetal rights’ bill

Tracey Lindeman in Ottawa
Thu 3 Aug 2023

A vote on a controversial bill meant to expand “fetal rights” in Canada has left the country without a single pro-choice Conservative MP, according to an abortion watchdog organization.

This week, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) placed the last remaining 15 Conservatives on its list of anti-choice MPs after they voted in support of Bill C-311, dubbed the Violence Against Pregnant Women Act.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/03/canada-abortion-rights-pregnancy

Canada – How pro-life bias is limiting reproductive healthcare access in rural Ontario

Right-to-life groups are increasing stigma and barriers to preventing and eliminating pregnancies

By Mary Baxter
August 2, 2023

After the condom broke, Amanda’s* boyfriend hurried to the drugstore to get the morning-after pill. Anxiety eddied as Amanda waited for him to return. The teenage couple had experienced pregnancy scares before but had never resorted to emergency contraception. A baby couldn’t be in the picture yet, Amanda knew.

In 2018, Amanda was 19 years old. The teen from Chatham-Kent, a rural municipality in southwestern Ontario, had dropped out of high school in Grade 11. They struggled with mental health and lived with their parents. They were unemployed. Their boyfriend, the same age, hit them.

Continued: https://broadview.org/abortion-access-rural/

02.08.2023